Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the DRC to secure the release of the Chinese in captivity as soon as possible and take resolute and effective measures to eliminate hidden dangers, providing better protection for Chinese citizens in the DRC and creating a safe, secure and stable environment for bilateral cooperation.

He made the remarks in a sideline meeting of the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) with Christophe Lutundula, deputy prime minister and minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Monday. 

Lutundula said the DRC attaches great importance to China's concerns and will take a responsible attitude and forceful measures to investigate the crimes, secure the freedom of the kidnapped people and severely punish the culprits, and safeguard national security and restore stability to the eastern parts of the DRC.

Wang stressed that the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government champion people-centered governance and attach great importance to the safety and security of Chinese enterprises and Chinese nationals overseas. He added that the Chinese side is extremely concerned with the recent kidnappings and killings of its citizens in the DRC.

He urged the DRC to secure the release of the Chinese in captivity as soon as possible and take resolute and effective measures to eliminate hidden dangers, providing better protection for Chinese citizens in the DRC and creating a safe, secure and stable environment for bilateral cooperation.

Reports said two Chinese nationals were killed in a mine on November 24 and five were kidnapped in an armed attack on a gold mine in the country. 

China appreciates the DRC's resolve in pursuing a policy of friendly relations with Beijing, and stands ready to strengthen solidarity, enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation so as to help the DRC translate its strengths in resources into advantages and strong momentum for the country's economic development, Wang said.

Lutundula said China is the DRC's most important partner and that Kinshasa cherishes its friendship with Beijing, and will, as always, firmly support China's endeavors in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He said the robust, exemplary DRC-China relationship will not be swayed by any external factors.

The DRC greatly appreciates the selfless support and assistance extended by China to help Africa develop, Lutundula said, expressing the confidence that the FOCAC ministerial conference will be a complete success.

Global Times- Xinhua